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OAKLAND, Calif. — The shortest outing of Erik Bedard’s 10-year career resulted in the Astros lefthander acknowledging he couldn’t throw strikes Monday and reliever Paul Clemens jawing with an ump, dislocating his right pinky finger and apologizing for taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Bedard was bombed. He walked the first three batters he faced, gave up six earned runs on 35 pitches and turned the ball over to Clemens after just 1/3 of an inning’s worth of work. It was the briefest start of Bedard’s pro run and the shortest for an Astro since Brandon Duckworth threw 1/3 of a frame June 7, 2004 against Seattle.

Bedard, 34, felt fine during warmups. But once he took the mound, his arm betrayed him.

“I got out there and couldn’t throw strikes. It’s just one of those games. It’s happened before and it’ll probably happen again,” said Bedard, who entered Monday having not allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings and throwing four scoreless innings last Tuesday during a 16-9 victory at Seattle.

Astros manager Bo Porter said he was unaware of any injury issues affecting Bedard and the veteran lefty will remain in the Astros’ rotation.

“It was just one of those things where he just didn’t have it (Monday). It was very unlike him,” Porter said. “He’s a veteran guy that normally commands the strike zone. … I’m pretty sure his next start he’ll be much better.”

All in

With Bedard out, Clemens was in.

The 25-year-old righthander allowed five earned runs and six hits in his first career appearance last Tuesday. He was spotted a 13-0 lead against the Mariners, though, and emerged with the win.

Monday, Clemens again relieved Bedard. But this time, the rookie saved the vet.

Clemens threw 5 1/3 innings of one-hit, no-run ball, striking out three and walking two on 72 pitches (46 strikes). Before the game, the passionate and energetic Clemens discussed wanting to get back on the mound so he could prove himself. He was even more energetic with the ball in his hand and he was praised by Porter and Bedard for saving the Astros’ bullpen Monday.

“Believe me: Everybody in this clubhouse really appreciates the job which he was able to do (Monday),” Porter said. “It was tremendous. … A great confidence booster for him and a good confidence booster for the team, as well.”

Clemens’ night wasn’t as perfect as his line, though. He dislocated his right pinky finger on a comebacker, had the digit popped back into place by trainer Nate Lucero, then pitched to one more batter before leaving the game.

Clemens has dealt with the injury since his high school playing days and he long ago grew accustomed to having the finger pop out while playing everything from football and basketball to baseball.

“I could’ve popped it back in myself and kept on going. … Show (Lucero), let him know it’s nothing and get back to work,” Clemens said.

The righty was equally honest about an in-game confrontation with home-plate umpire Paul Emmel.

The highly charged Clemens thought a 2-2 pitch was a strikeout. Emmel thought otherwise. Clemens offered a select few private words to inform Emmel of his mistake.

“Let me take a second to apologize to him and his whole crew. I apologize,” Clemens said. “It was just my competitive nature. … I took the Lord’s name in vain and I apologized.”

Notes

The Astros are 0-8 when their opponent scores first and 4-1 when they do. … Clemens’ extended-relief appearance was the longest by an Astro since Dave Borkowski threw six innings Aug. 15, 2006 vs. the Chicago Cubs. … Carlos Pena had a bunt single during the seventh inning. It was his 26th career bunt single. Pena is joined by Derek Jeter and Carlos Beltran as the only active players with at least 25 bunt singles and 250 home runs. … Ex-Astro Nate Freiman hit his first MLB homer off Bedard, a three-run shot in the first that signaled Bedard’s departure. … Ex-Astro Jed Lowrie went 2-for-4 with four RBIs. The shortstop’s hitting .385 this season and is 9-for-17 with two homers, seven RBIs and five runs in four games against the Astros this year.